Day 3

We began the day in 12th place (based on yesterday's results).

Wow! What a wonderful day for sailing and mighty strong winds (which means a lot of water in the boat). I managed to not almost fall in, though I did lose the seat I sit on in the first race today. It was a great day--but long. As with anything in life, "the best laid plans of both mice and men often go astray..." my goal to work the spinnaker better was a dismal failure today.

In the first race we had a great start and rounded the first mark in 4th place...but the the fates, or maybe Neptune himself (Matt), were not on our side. As we came around the leeward mark I couldn't hall the spinnaker in--I fought it with all my strength. We finally realized the spinnaker line was caught in the zipper on the base of the jib. We had to sail away from the race course and try to figure it out--much time was lost and I thought for sure we would place last--but we jumped back in there and made some come back--at we didn't finish last! The second race was a blur. Don't ask me why. It was the third race that we did our best and finished 7th place.

Sam the Swedish woman is not sailing in my class (thank goodness); however a Canadian got us irked because he was asked to give room at the mark (we had right away) and he said something rather unprofessional to us, so I told Mark we had to beat them--and we did. Nothing wrong with a little competition. There will be no night sailing Sam--the rules state we can't start a race after 5pm. Goes to show you--life ain't fair.

Thanks to all of you for your comments and support you make me laugh after a very long and strenuous day! Tomorrow is day 4 and maybe some of the good starts and good sail trimming can come together. I miss you guys (believe it or not). Hang in there folks!

I almost forgot--the D&C interviewed us and he is coming out to take pictures and do video (which they put on-line). Anyhow, the article will be in Friday's paper. Take care, until tomorrow.
Amy